Device for displaying in response to a sensed motion

Abstract

A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for signaling in response to a sensed motion, the device having a single enclosure, and in the single enclosure comprising:
 a two-axis accelerometer for producing an output signal responsive to the device acceleration; 
 a visible light emitter for emitting a visible light signaling a first status to a person; 
 an electric motor for affecting a physical movement; 
 a software and a processor for executing the software, the processor coupled to the accelerometer, to the electric motor, and to the visible light emitter, for activating or controlling the emitted light or the electric motor in response to the output signal; 
 a rechargeable battery connected to power the device; 
 a battery charger connected for contactless charging of the rechargeable battery; and 
 a controlled switch connected for switching DC power from the rechargeable battery to the visible light emitter or to the electric motor, 
 wherein the switch is controlled by the processor in response to the output signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a light sensor. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the light sensor consists of, comprises, or is based on, a photocell. 
     
     
       4. A device for signaling in response to a sensed motion, the device having a single enclosure, and in the single enclosure comprising:
 a two-axis accelerometer for producing an output signal responsive to the device acceleration; 
 a visible light emitter for emitting a visible light signaling a first status to a person; 
 an electric motor for affecting a physical movement; 
 a software and a processor for executing the software, the processor coupled to the accelerometer, to the electric motor, and to the visible light emitter, for activating or controlling the emitted light or the electric motor in response to the output signal; 
 a rechargeable battery connected to power the device; and 
 a controlled switch connected for switching DC power from the rechargeable battery to the visible light emitter or to the electric motor, 
 wherein the emitted light or the electric motor is activated or controlled in response to a received wireless signal, and wherein the switch is controlled by the processor in response to the output signal. 
 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is a light sensor. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the light sensor consists of, comprises, or is based on, a photocell.